If you found your way to my blog because you are expecting a baby or you just had your new baby…Congratulations!! Newborn lifestyle sessions are my absolute favorite way to document your days at home with your brand new baby. It’s time set aside to just love on your baby with your spouse and not feel drawn to completing any other tasks.
Lots of new parents want to know how they should prepare for a newborn lifestyle session so I thought I’d put together a little information about what works best to do ahead of time, and what I can help with once I arrive! It’s all very simple and should be very doable!
First of all, some families are worried that they have to clean their whole house…. and that is DEFINITELY not the case! It’s hard enough cleaning and tidying your home before baby arrives, who has time for that after baby’s arrival?! Instead, I ask you to consider the rooms that you want to use in your newborn portraits. I typically suggest the nursery, the master bedroom, and possibly the family room. Once you have decided, I just ask you to declutter those rooms from cords, diaper boxes, etc. Basically anything that you don’t want to see in the background! The other rooms in your home can be piled high with as many things as you need!!
Second, newborn photography sessions are best photographed with only natural light from your windows. So, simply open the blinds and drapes as much as possible and turn off all of the overhead lights! That should take 5 minutes, tops! Great job for a husband ;)
Third, please try to change the baby’s diaper and feed the baby a full feeding before I arrive. Nursing mamas, that can take up to 40 minutes so just plan to start about 40 minutes before your session time!
And last, relax! Once I arrive for your newborn lifestyle session, it’s okay if not everything is done! I’m happy to help by feeding your newborn a bottle, opening blinds, moving clutter from rooms, or anything else that you need! I want the session to be as calm as possible so please feel free to share any worries with me! I always love hearing from parents at the end of the session about how wonderful it was to just spend some quiet time with their newborn and their family. It’s a special time that you’ll forever want to remember. It’s such an honor when you invite me into your home to document your family’s story!
xoxo,
Kathleen :)